CN114945511A

CN114945511A - Mobile rescue equipment

Info

Publication number: CN114945511A
Application number: CN202080093010.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·绍尔比尔
Original assignee: Vettel Ltd
Current assignee: Vettel Ltd
Priority date: 2020-01-15
Filing date: 2020-01-15
Publication date: 2022-08-26
Also published as: US20230067110A1; JP2023510420A; WO2021144016A1; EP4090590A1; CA3164978A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile rescue device (1) for rescuing at least one person at risk of falling, comprising: a support device (2) for receiving and transporting a person at risk of falling, preferably in the form of a jump pad, jump cloth, standing surface, floor or stretcher; -positioning means (3) for locally positioning the support means (2) at the location of a person at risk of falling; at least one unmanned, remotely controlled flying drone (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is provided as a positioning device (3).

Description

Mobile rescue equipment

Technical Field

The present application relates to a mobile rescue apparatus for rescuing a person in danger of falling according to the preamble of claim 1.

Background

Jump mats are used in rescue services to rescue people in danger of falling. The use of jump mats is provided particularly when the vehicle cannot be used because the rescue height of a person exceeds the maximum rescue height of the vehicle with a turntable ladder or the vehicle cannot travel to the rescue location. The jump mat is inflated by means of a compressed air bottle or compressor until an overpressure of, for example, about 0.3bar is generated. If a jump pad is set up and a person jumps onto it, the person slowly decelerates during immersion through a rapid pressure balance of the jump pad with the surrounding environment. The rescue height of the person to be rescued is a limiting factor for the jump mat, since as the drop height increases, the jump mat absorbs more kinetic energy and therefore has to be larger in size. Currently, jumping mats allow a maximum rescue height of 60 m.

With the increase of the rescue height, the jumping pad is very small from the perspective of the person to be rescued, so that the risk that the person to be rescued cannot jump onto the jumping pad correctly or cannot jump onto the jumping pad at all is greatly increased. This can have fatal consequences, because the person to be rescued can be seriously injured thereby or a death accident occurs due to an impact. The person to be rescued may also bounce off the jump mat, which creates a huge potential safety hazard for the rescue team. Therefore, it is particularly important to position the jump pad correctly. However, as the height of the rescue increases, this becomes difficult. Additionally, due to the high weight of the jump mat, the position of the jump mat may be difficult to change in the inflated state, which hinders a quick response. In addition, multiple people are required to set up and remove the rescue mat.

Documents of the prior art

CN205814896 discloses an automatic, unmanned mobile rescue device for rescuing persons in danger of falling. The rescue apparatus is comprised of a jump mat mounted on a positioning device. The movement of the rescue device is realized by means of specially constructed wheels, which can realize all-round freedom of movement on the ground. Additionally, the rescue apparatus is equipped with a doppler radar in order to determine the flight trajectory of the falling person. The determined data are used to accurately and quickly position the rescue device in order for it to be manoeuvred into the flight trajectory of the person to be rescued and to catch the person to be rescued safely with a jump mat.

Another rescue arrangement is known from CN107346141, in which a jump pad is mounted on an automatic, unmanned moving carriage. Such mobile rescue devices can recognize the flight trajectory of the person to be rescued by means of a binocular system and enter the flight trajectory by means of specially configured wheels. At the same time, the blower is activated to inflate the jump mat. Thereby, the person to be rescued can be safely caught by the rescue device.

In both documents, the mobile rescue device can only be moved on the ground, which strongly limits the usability of the system. Additionally, such mobile rescue apparatus cannot be used in difficult to access areas, such as in busy or rough terrain.

Disclosure of Invention

The task of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a rescue device which makes it possible to rescue people at high rescue heights who are at risk of falling.

Solution to the task

The above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The object-oriented improvements are claimed in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, at least one flying drone is provided as a positioning device for a mobile rescue device. The flying drone is connected with a support device for accommodating persons at risk of falling. Preferably, the support means is surrounded by a guard rail, which is preferably open on one side. The support device can thus be designed in particular in the form of a basket which is open laterally on one side or a container which is open on the upper side. This results in the following advantages: the mobile rescue apparatus is easily accessible to the person to be rescued. In particular, the following possibilities also exist: if the environment does not allow for the maneuvering of the mobile rescue equipment in the vicinity of the person to be rescued, the person to be rescued can jump onto the rescue equipment from a certain distance and/or height. It is possible that: rescue equipment is arbitrarily positioned in three-dimensional space. The rescue device therefore also allows persons at risk of falling to be rescued at higher heights, in particular at heights outside the permissible jumping height of the jump mat. The control of the rescue device can be carried out from a base station, which can also be operated by only one person if necessary. Thus, less personnel are required than in the jumping mats available to date. This allows the rescue team to perform other tasks during the time the rescue is put into effect. Furthermore, the rescue device can also be used in areas which are particularly difficult to pass through.

According to the destination, a plurality of flying drones can be used to position the rescue device. Very good flight stability and/or responsiveness can thereby be achieved in particular also in the case of air turbulences, in particular in difficult conditions, for example in the case of an increase in the asymmetrical air flow due to local heat flows (for example in the case of a building fire) and/or in the case of a one-sided load (for example due to a one-sided jump) and/or in the case of an uneven load distribution. Preferably, at least four, particularly preferably at least six flying drones can be provided in this case.

Preferably, the flying drone may be connected to an edge region and/or a corner region of the support means.

Particularly suitable for this purpose may be: at least one or more flying drones are located above the support device.

According to an alternative refinement of the invention, at least one or more flying drones are located below the support device.

Advantageously, the flying drones can be synchronized with each other in their flight position and in their flight motion, so as to ensure the same flight trajectory and a fast response to the rescue equipment. This enables a particularly precise control and simplifies the positioning of the rescue device.

According to an expedient further development of the invention, the rescue device is equipped with a camera system comprising at least one camera. This enables transmission of images about the use. Furthermore, the operator of the base station can also control the rescue device without direct visual contact if necessary. Another advantage of this improvement is: the rescue device can be controlled and positioned precisely via the camera system even in the case of large rescue heights. The risk of incorrect positioning and thus of major accidents can thus be reduced to a large minimum.

Preferably, the camera system can transmit the data in real time to a receiver, preferably to a base station.

Preferably, the rescue device is equipped with a sensor system for detecting the surroundings, which sensor system comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of sensors.

By means of the sensor system being equipped with a distance sensor, a desired distance to objects in the surroundings in the vicinity of the rescue device, for example to trees and/or buildings, can be maintained, preferably automatically, by the rescue device. Thereby, handling of the rescue device is significantly simplified. Additionally, the rescue device can be positioned, preferably automatically, precisely, for example at a defined distance from a window, so that the person to be rescued can easily and unimpededly reach the rescue device from the rescue location via this distance or gap.

Particularly suitable as a motion detection system is a motion detection system which automatically recognizes the jumping or falling trajectory of the person to be rescued and permanently corrects or adapts the position of the rescue device. Suitable motion detection systems are, for example, lidar, radio radar and/or ultrasound systems. Thereby, the position of the rescue device can be adapted independently to the determined jump or drop movement trajectory of the person to be rescued, whereby it can be ensured that: the person to be rescued is safely caught by the rescue device and major accidents when jumping to the rescue device can be avoided.

Furthermore, the sensor system can have at least one sensor for determining the flight height and/or the position of the person to be rescued (for example for determining the height and/or the distance of use).

By the way the rescue device can be equipped with a sensor system for detecting tilt, the following advantages result: the rescue device can always be oriented horizontally and tilting, for example due to a side load or due to the influence of heat flows, can be compensated for by targeted control of the flying drone or drones.

In one embodiment of the invention, the connection of the positioning device between the flying drone and the support device is rigid, so that the movement of the drone is transmitted directly to the support device. Preferably, rigid connecting elements made of plastic, fiber composite or metal, in particular light metal, are used.

According to an alternative refinement of the invention, the connection of the positioning device between the flying drone and the support device is flexible, so that the flying drone can be positioned or moved substantially freely relative to the support device. The flexible connection may be, for example, a rope or a chain.

The support means by the rescue apparatus is at least partially permeable to the airflow, which assists in supporting the aerodynamic lift and thus the efficiency of the flying drone. In addition, the heat flow that may occur due to the heat generation of a building fire has less adverse effect on the positional stability of the support device.

By providing the support means with a conventional jump mat, it is also possible to rescue a person in situations where the rescue device cannot be positioned directly at the person to be rescued. However, the rescue device according to the invention can be positioned in a still sufficient "middle height" below the position of the person to be rescued. In contrast to the jump mats available hitherto, the jump height of the person to be rescued can thus be significantly reduced. Thereby, the risk of injury to the person to be rescued during the rescue jump is also reduced. In addition, the jump inhibition of the person to be rescued is also lower when the jump height is reduced.

Preferably, plastics (preferably PVC), fibre composites or metals, in particular light metals, are used as foil and frame material.

According to another embodiment, the support device can be rigidly constructed. Thereby, the person to be rescued can "climb" onto the supporting means particularly easily.

The support device may also be configured as a stretcher, if desired.

Particularly advantageous are: the rescue device can be controlled by means of a computer, preferably by means of a tablet computer, in particular from the ground. The control is preferably via a downloadable application downloaded to the computer. The control data may be stored centrally, for example in a computer cloud. The centrally stored data may also be linked with location and/or ambient data and/or weather data from other databases. This makes it possible to include additional data when controlling the rescue device.

The rescue apparatus preferably has no closed housing or chassis, so that the support means are unobstructed and freely accessible.

Drawings

Description of the invention by way of example

The objective embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. For clarity, the repeated features are provided with reference numerals only once. In the drawings:

fig. 1a shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a rescue apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 1b shows a schematic perspective view of an alternative support device;

FIG. 1c shows a schematic perspective view of another alternative support device;

fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a rescue apparatus according to the invention;

fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a rescue apparatus according to the invention;

fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a rescue apparatus according to the invention;

fig. 5a shows an example diagram of the functional elements of a flying drone of the rescue device and of a base station for controlling the rescue device;

fig. 5b shows an exemplary diagram of a base station in the form of a tablet; and is provided with

Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of a rescue device using the rescue device according to the invention, exemplified by the rescue device according to fig. 1 a.

Detailed Description

Reference numeral 1 in fig. 1a denotes in its entirety an embodiment of a mobile rescue apparatus according to the invention. The mobile rescue apparatus 1 comprises a flat, for example square, support means 2 in the form of a floor. Instead of a rectangular shape, the support device 2 can also have different geometries, for example a circular, elliptical or polygonal shape.

The support device 2 is supported by, for example, four positioning devices 3, each positioning device 3 comprising an unmanned flying drone 4a to 4d and an associated connecting element 20. The connecting element 20 connects the respective flying drone 4a to 4d with the support device 2, preferably in the edge region and/or corner region thereof.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the flying drones 4a to 4d are located above the support device 2. The flying drones 4a to 4d are designed such that the rescue device 1 can transport at least one person in flight. The flying drones 4a to 4d are advantageously synchronized with each other in their movement. The rescue arrangement 1 can comprise a surrounding protective railing 21 as a safety device. The protective railing 21 can be completely or at least partially missing on one side of the rescue device 1 in order to enable access to the support means 2. The guard rail 21 extends upward from the support device 2 to a height corresponding to a window or door guard rail in a building. The protective rail 21 can be constructed, for example, as a fence structure.

The rescue apparatus 1 may comprise a camera system. The camera system comprises at least one camera 18 which transmits data to the base station 8a, see fig. 6, preferably in real time. The camera system allows imaging of the immediate use environment of the rescue device 1 in the area of the base station 8a, preferably in real time.

Furthermore, the rescue device 1 may comprise a sensor system for enabling the positioning of the rescue device 1. The sensor system shown in fig. 1a comprises different sensors.

These sensors are, for example, distance sensors 19a, which enable a distance measurement between the rescue device 1 and the surroundings, for example a house wall (see fig. 6). Thereby, for example, a minimum distance to be automatically maintained may be determined. The generated distance data may be transmitted to the base station 8a for example for assisting in supporting the control.

Furthermore, the sensor system may comprise a motion detection system with at least one motion sensor 19 b. The motion detection system is particularly suitable for orienting the position of the rescue device 1, more precisely when a person to be rescued (see fig. 6) tries to jump onto the rescue device. Whereby the person 5 to be rescued can be safely caught.

Furthermore, the sensor system may comprise an inclination detection system with at least one inclination sensor 19c in order to determine the inclination of the support device 2. This ensures that: the support device 2 is oriented in its horizontal position, in particular when loaded on one side. The sensors of the above-mentioned sensor system may be located on and/or in the support 2 and/or on the flying drones 4a to 4 d.

Furthermore, the sensor system can have at least one sensor for determining the flight height and/or the position of the person to be rescued (for example for determining the action height and/or the distance).

An alternative embodiment of the support device 2 is shown in fig. 1 b. In this case, the support device 2 is partially permeable to the air flow. In the embodiment described, two air flow channels 30 are provided at the corners of the support device 2. The airflow generated by the flying drones 4a to 4d can flow through these airflow passages. Thereby, better aerodynamic conditions are created for the flying drones 4a to 4d, and therefore the flying drones can work more efficiently. The airflow passage 30 may be, for example, a fence or a net. The connecting element 20 may in this case preferably be connected with a fence or, for example, alternatively with the support device 2 at a post or pole (not shown in fig. 1 b) such that the flying drones 4a to 4d are positioned above the airflow channel 30.

Fig. 1c shows a further alternative embodiment of the support device 2. In this case, the support device 2 is completely permeable to air flow. In case the support means 2 is completely permeable to air flow, the air flow generated by the flying drones 4a to 4d may flow through the support means 2 more efficiently. In the case of a completely air-permeable support 2, the flying drones 4a to 4d can be positioned relatively freely, in particular with respect to the support 2.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the rescue device 1. In this case, a single flying drone 4a is used, which is located above the support 2. Further, the rescue apparatus 1 corresponds to other embodiments. The flying drone 4a is connected to the support device 2 via a plurality of connecting elements 20. The connection elements 20 may for example extend from the corners of the guard rails 21 of the support device 2 to the flying drone 4a, respectively. The connecting element 20 can in this case be both rigid and flexible.

The alternative embodiment of the mobile rescue apparatus 1 shown in fig. 3 shows only one flying drone 4a, which is located below the support 2. Further, the rescue apparatus 1 corresponds to other embodiments. However, in this embodiment, the connecting element 20 is rigid and connects the flying drone 4a with the support 2, preferably via its four corners.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the rescue device 1. A jump pad 23 is provided on the support device 2. Such an embodiment can be used in particular when the rescue device cannot be positioned directly at the person to be rescued so that the person to be rescued has to jump onto the jump mat 23. This may be the case, for example: the person 5 to be rescued is for example located under a protruding part of the balcony and the rescue device 1 thus cannot reach the person 5. The support device 2 comprises an outer frame 22, preferably a tubular frame, on which a jump pad 23 is fixed. In order that a jumping person does not hit the flying drones 4a to 4d, said flying drones are displaced further outward than the surface of the support device 2, for example by means of the additional frame elements 22 a. The connecting element 20 connects the flying drones 4a to 4d with the frame element 22 a. Further, the rescue apparatus 1 corresponds to other embodiments.

The rescue apparatus 1 according to the invention is controlled by an operator 32 from the ground by means of a base station 8a, which is connected via a wireless data connection (radio connection) with at least one flying drone 4a to 4 d.

Fig. 5a shows an exemplary embodiment of functional elements of a base station 8a and an exemplary flying drone 4a, respectively for controlling a rescue device 1 according to the invention by an operator 32. The base station 8a comprises a control element 10, a control display 12, a control unit 25 and a transceiver 9 with an antenna for bidirectional data transmission, preferably in real time. The functional elements of the base station 8a are supplied with electrical energy by an energy source 11, for example a battery or accumulator. The control unit 25 comprises a processor performing the control and calculation functions of the base station 8 a. The control display 12 shows, for example, graphically, different camera and/or sensor data and/or status data of the rescue device 1 and/or of the base station 8 a. The base station 8a allows simple control of the rescue device 1 by means of the control element 10. This can preferably be configured as a joystick. The control commands are sent via the transceiver 9 of the base station 8a to the transceiver 15 with antenna of the flying drone 4 a.

The functional elements of the flying drone 4a are mounted in the housing 13 of the flying drone and are advantageously protected against external influences, such as moisture and/or dust. The functional elements of the flying drone 4a include a power supply 17 (e.g. a battery or accumulator), a control unit 16, a data interface 24 and a transceiver 15 with an antenna. The transceiver 15 is adapted for bidirectional data transmission between the flying drone 4a and the base station 8a and between the flying drone 4a and the other flying drones of the rescue device 1. The data interface 24 regulates the content which the rescue device 1 can comprise from data from different sensors and/or camera systems. The control unit 16 of the flying drone 4a controls the rotor 14 of the flying drone 4 a. By targeted control of the lift of each rotor 14 of the flying drone 4a, the movement of the respective flying drone can be controlled. This enables a targeted movement of the rescue device 1 in three-dimensional space. Preferably, the control unit 16 acquires control commands for flying the drone from the base station 8a and, if necessary, additionally also receives control commands from the sensors via the data interface 24.

The sensor data are preferably detected and transmitted in real time when the rescue device 1 is controlled. The control can be done directly by bidirectional data transmission between the flying drones 4a to 4d and the base station 8 a. Thus, it is possible, for example, to: if, for example, the inclination detection system recognizes an inclination of the rescue device 1 which results above a setpoint value, an automatic flight adaptation of the rescue device 1 can be carried out or the rescue device 1 can be automatically controlled into the flight trajectory of the person 5 to be rescued.

The flying drones 4a to 4d are preferably controlled via an application. The real-time images of the camera system and/or the real-time data and/or status data of the different sensor systems, for example the charging voltage and the currently necessary power of the rescue device 1, can be shown in a single window or in different windows.

The control is preferably via a downloadable application downloaded to the computer. The control data may be stored centrally, for example in a computer cloud. The centrally stored data may also be linked with location and/or ambient data and/or weather data from other databases. This makes it possible to include additional data when controlling the rescue device.

In an alternative embodiment, the control devices of the flying drones 4a to 4d are centrally arranged on the rescue device 1.

Accordingly, the flying drones 4a to 4d can only include the drive of such flying drones 4a to 4d, all the drive means being provided by a common control and monitoring unit (not shown in the figures) and/or energy source.

According to a particular embodiment of the base station 8a, the base station 8a is a computer 8b, preferably a tablet computer, as this is shown in fig. 5 b. The tablet computer comprises a conventional multifunction display 26 in which at least one finger-operable touch-sensitive control element 31, a window 29 for showing real-time images of the camera system, a window 27 for showing real-time images of the different sensor systems and a status display 28 of the flying drones 4a to 4d are generated. If required, the tablet pc can additionally be coupled to a control unit 10 of the described type for controlling the rescue device.

Fig. 6 shows a use of the rescue device 1 according to the invention, by way of example of the rescue device 1 according to fig. 1 a. In this case, for example, a building fire situation may be the case, in which rescuers 5 can only be rescued via the window 6. The rescue equipment 1 can be positioned very close to the window 6 in the height of the window so that the gap between the window 6 and the support 2 is small. The distance sensor 19a prevents the rescue device 1 from colliding with the house wall 7 in this case. This has the following advantages: the person 5 to be rescued can directly climb into the rescue apparatus 1 and the anxiety state of the person 5 to be rescued can be reduced. The tilt sensor 19c is used to support the horizontal orientation of the device 2 during the time that a person is positioned thereon. If the support device 2 is at least partially permeable to air flow, the heat flow occurring in the event of a fire can flow through the support device.

It is explicitly pointed out that: individual features and sub-combinations of features should be considered essential to the invention and are encompassed by the disclosure of the present application.

List of reference numerals

1 rescue equipment

2 support device

3 positioning device

4a flight unmanned aerial vehicle

4b flight unmanned aerial vehicle

4c flight unmanned aerial vehicle

4d flight unmanned aerial vehicle

5 person to be rescued

6 window

7 house wall

8a base station

8b computer

9 aerial

10 control element

11 power supply

12 control display

13 base body

14 rotor

15 antenna

16 control unit

17 power supply

18 camera system

19a distance sensor

19b motion sensor

19c tilt angle sensor

20 connecting element

21 guardrail

22 frame

22a frame member

23 jumping pad

24 data interface

25 control unit

26 display

27 sensor data

28 status data

29 real time image

30 air flow channel

31 touch-sensitive control element

32 an operator.

Claims

1. Mobile rescue device (1) for rescuing at least one person in danger of falling, comprising:

a support device (2) for receiving and transporting a person at risk of falling, preferably in the form of a jump mat, jump cloth, standing surface, floor or stretcher;

-positioning means (3) for locally positioning the support means (2) at the location of a person at risk of falling;

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

at least one unmanned, remotely controlled flying drone (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is provided as a positioning device (3).

2. Rescue arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of flying drones (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) are provided.

3. Rescue arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flying drone (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is preferably connected with an edge region and/or a corner region, respectively, of the support device (2).

4. Rescue apparatus (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one flying drone (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is located above the support means (2).

5. Rescue arrangement (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one flying drone (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is located below the support means (2).

6. Rescue apparatus (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the flying drones (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) are synchronized with one another in their flight position and/or in their flight movement.

7. Rescue arrangement (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rescue arrangement (1) comprises a camera system with at least one, preferably a plurality of cameras (18).

8. Rescue arrangement (1) as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the data of the camera system are transmitted, preferably in real time, to a receiver, preferably to a base station (8 a).

9. Rescue arrangement (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rescue arrangement (1) comprises at least one sensor system for detecting the surroundings with at least one, preferably a plurality of, sensors.

10. Rescue arrangement (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the sensor system of the rescue arrangement is at least one, preferably a plurality of distance sensors (19 a).

11. Rescue apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the sensor system is at least one, preferably a plurality of, motion sensors (19b) for the person (5) to be rescued.

12. Rescue arrangement (1) as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the position of the rescue arrangement (1) is adapted to the determined jump or fall movement trajectory of the person (5) to be rescued.

13. Rescue arrangement (1) as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the sensor system is at least one, preferably a plurality of inclination sensors (19c) of the support device (2).

14. Rescue arrangement (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection (20) of the positioning device (3) between the support device (2) and at least one unmanned, remote-controlled flying drone (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is rigid.

15. Rescue arrangement (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1-4 and 6-13, characterized in that the connection (20) of the positioning device (3) between the support device (2) and at least one unmanned, remote-controlled flying drone (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) is flexible.

16. Rescue arrangement (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support means (2) are at least partially permeable to air flow.

17. Rescue arrangement (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a jump mat (23) is provided on the support device (2).

18. Rescue arrangement (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the support means (2) are rigid.

19. Rescue arrangement (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the rescue arrangement (1) is controllable by a computer (8b), preferably by a tablet computer, preferably via an application program.